World Cup hydration breaks – who are the winners and losers?Image source, ReutersImage caption, Many matches at the 2026 World Cup are taking place in extreme heatByNeil JohnstonBBC Sport journalist in New YorkPublished24 minutes agoIt has become a familiar scene at World Cup games.The referee blows his whistle to stop the game 22 minutes into each half to allow players to rehydrate.The mandatory three-minute drinks break at all 104 games has been introduced to help players tackle stifling heat and humidity levels in Mexico, Canada and the United States.But not everyone is impressed.Some have described the breaks as commercial interruptions to appease US broadcasters.Hydration breaks even take place at grounds with retractable roofs with interior climate control.Asked about the stop in play in each half of every match, Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of co-hosts USA, stated: “I don’t like it. I only like it when the conditions are extreme.”But when the conditions are good, it is unnecessary.”So, who are the winners and the losers of the World Cup hydration breaks? And how have they affected the opening games?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brazil equalised against Morocco soon after boss Carlo Ancelotti gathered his players together during a hydration break to discuss tactics’Hydration breaks? I call them momentum breaks’When Brazil’s players took on water midway through the first half at the New Jersey New York Stadium on Saturday, they deservedly trailed Morocco 1-0 after a lacklustre start.Six minutes after play resumed they were level.Yes, it was down to a moment of individual brilliance by Vinicius Jr after he cut back inside on to his right foot before lashing a brilliant strike into the roof of the net.But as Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged afterwards, the hydration break enabled him to deliver fresh instructions to his players and tweak the system.Having been second best, the five-time world champions suddenly had momentum.”You can explain a problem to the players,” the Italian coach stated afterwards when asked what benefits could be achieved in the breaks.”[You can] make a tactical adjustment that can be very good.” Image source, ReutersImage caption, Carlo Ancelotti delivers instructions to his Brazil players during a hydration break against MoroccoIf hydration breaks are to help player welfare, should managers even be allowed to deliver fresh instructions?United States women’s boss Emma Hayes, speaking to ITV Sport, explained that stopping play for a break killed momentum for the team on top.”It’s advantageous for the team losing momentum – that’s why I call them momentum breaks,” she stated.”When you’re on top, you don’t want it; when you’re losing, you do.”Sometimes it’s not even coaching [during the hydration break]. It’s about taking on fluid and calming players. Sometimes it can be doing nothing, but that can be considered coaching as well.”It’s a shame. I can understand it in really warm parts of the country, but it seems like it could be something that could here for good.”Like Brazil, Canada also equalised soon after a hydration break – this time in the second half – when substitute Cyle Larin cancelled out Bosnia-Herzegovina’s lead on Friday.
Scotland scored the only goal of the game in a win over Haiti shortly after a break – while Australia grabbed their opener in similar circumstances in a 2-0 win against Turkey.
Juan Mata, a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, stated he would have disliked a three-minute break in each half when he was playing.
“As a player I don’t think it’s great,” he told ITV Sport.
“When you’re losing, you want to score, and when you’re winning you want to keep the ball. I think they break the momentum.”
